War is the realm of uncertainty; three-quarters of the factors on which action in war is based are wrapped in a fog… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
This tremendous friction which cannot, as in mechanics, be reduced to a few points, is everywhere in contact with chance, and brings… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
The general unreliability of all information presents a special problem in war: all action takes place, so to speak, in the twilight,… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Four elements make up the climate of war: danger, exertion, uncertainty and chance. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Only the element of chance is needed to make war a gamble, and that element is never absent. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
War is the province of chance. In no sphere of human activity is such a margin to be left for this intruder.… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
War is the province of chance. in no other sphere of human activity must such a margin be left for this intruder.… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
No other human activity is so continuously or universally bound up with chance. And through the element of chance, guesswork and luck… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
The first and most important rule to observe...is to use our entire forces with the utmost energy. The second rule is to… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
The invention of gunpowder and the constant improvement of firearms are enough in themselves to show that the advance of civilization has done nothing… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Rather than comparing [war] to art we could more accurately compare it to commerce, which is also a conflict of human interests and activities;… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Savage peoples are ruled by passion, civilized peoples by the mind. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
After we have thought out everything carefully in advance and have sought and found without prejudice the most plausible plan, we must not be… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Intelligence alone is not courage, we often see that the most intelligent people are irresolute. Since in the rush of events a man is… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
The great uncertainty of all data in war is because all action, to a certain extent, planned in a mere twilight - like the… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Self-reliance is the best defence against the pressures of the moment. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
War is the realm of uncertainty; three-quarters of the factors on which action in war is based are wrapped in a fog of greater… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
We repeat again: strength of character does not consist solely in having powerful feelings, but in maintaining one’s balance in spite of them. Even… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image